Former Cherryville detective pleads guilty in federal court

Thursday

Frankie Dellinger, 41, of Cherryville could face 65 years in prison and/or fines up to $1 million for his part in a scheme that involved five other men, three with ties to law enforcement.

A former narcotics detective pleaded guilty to four offenses in federal court Thursday morning.

Frankie Dellinger, 41, of Cherryville could face 65 years in prison and/or fines up to $1 million for his part in a scheme that involved five other men, three with ties to law enforcement.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy, money laundering and two counts of extortion.

Sentencing will happen at a later hearing.

As part of the plea agreement, Dellinger also agreed to help with any further investigation into the matter.

According to the plea agreement, Dellinger used his status as a police officer to receive and transport stolen goods. Dellinger admitted to taking bribes and keeping money he believed came from illegal transaction.

Dellinger and his cohorts raked in thousands of dollars and merchandise in what was actually an undercover operation being executed by federal agents.

Dellinger is the last of the defendants to accept a plea offer.

Other men involved in the crime ring were Mark Ray Hoyle, Casey Justin Crawford, Wesley Clayton Golden, John Ashley Hendricks and David Paul Mauney III.

Crawford, 32, and Mauney , 24, were both full-time Cherryville patrol officers at the time.

Golden, 39, is a former Cherryville City Councilman and was on reserve with the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office at the time of the investigation.

Dellinger was a narcotics detective with Cherryville Police before being put on reserve during a round of layoffs.

According to WSOC, Dellinger is accused of stealing a Rolex watch valued at $35,000 from a Cherryville resident. The police chief told Dellinger to return the items but no charges were filed, the documents state.

When a semi truck carrying tires broke down in Cherryville, about 100 tires vanished. Four of them ended up on Dellinger's personal vehicle, according to WSOC.

In January 2012, the documents stated, Gaston County police were chasing a robbery suspect when a black SUV showed up and picked up the suspect. Detectives believe Dellinger was driving that SUV.